In Scotland, 16 to 18 year olds are allowed to buy cutlery and kitchen knives.
And that's a direct.gov quote lol
And that's a direct.gov quote lol
Just a comment on the title of the thread, if a knife is "non UK legal", then the definitive answer is Do not carry it.
Also because a knife is tagged as EDC, does not mean it is legal to carry it in the UK, the Laws on carrying knives is quite explicit and should be studied.
One other point the OP should take into consideration, is that it is illegal to buy a knife for someone under 18, even as a gift , and it is a criminal offence if you do, unless the particular knife is allowed under the Law.
The right tool for the right job
The OP is talking about a" non legal" knife.citation please? As far as I can find its only illegal to sell a knife (unless it has a folding blade 3 inches long (7.62 cm) or less) to someone under 18?
Thanks. I believe you’re right.No, sheepsfoot if I´m not mistaken. Or perhaps wharncliffe.
I may have missed something (that’s not an unusual occurrence to be honest) but isn’t 16 about the age many youth in the UK begin apprenticeships? It seems contradictory that an16 or 17 year old begins training and/or apprenticeship as a chef or butcher but can’t buy knives? Likewise beginning training or apprenticeship as an arborist but can’t buy an axe?In practice Chris, no one will sell any kitchen knife to a teenager up here.
Indeed many shops have a no knife sales to anyone under 21 practice, and it's up on notices beside the knives and at tills.
The catch phrase of one local MP was, "Carry a knife, go to jail". No compromise whatsoever.
M
The OP is talking about a" non legal" knife.
The OP is just talking about a lock knife or fixed blade being 'non-legal' in the sense they arn't specifically in the legislation - I can find no legislation on gifting legal to own knives anywhere only sales.
I was just asking where you found that piece of law since you seemed to be so sure its illegal to buy a fixed blade (or lock knife) knife for somone under 18 and gift it to them?
Besdies if you actually look at the law, broken as it sounds selling is illegal not buying...
If he wants a spyderco, just get the sub 3" non-locking one. It's a good knife for everyday tasks.Thanks for all the varied and interesting replies. There is some great information to glean from what has been written.
Sorry about the title, I wrote the question quickly without a huge amount of thought into the implications.
To clarify, we live on the outskirts of Edinburgh, we are a family who spend a lot of time outdoors (when we are allowed) spending a lot of time ski touring, mountaineering, mountain biking etc. My son is well used to using a knife, I feel that it is important to teach the skills and respect of a very useful tool rather than allowing him to see it as a weapon.
He is pretty grown up and responsible, doesn't hang about with his mates in parks etc, he enjoys spending time outdoors.
He was looking for an edc which was just a little bit more special/different/tactile and had a particular interest in Spyderco. He is open to other brands, I was just getting a feeling of options as focusing on uk friendly knifes massively impacts on choices. Good to see that there is still lots of options out there though.
Love hearing your thoughts and recommendations, keep them coming.
I may have missed something (that’s not an unusual occurrence to be honest) but isn’t 16 about the age many youth in the UK begin apprenticeships? It seems contradictory that an16 or 17 year old begins training and/or apprenticeship as a chef or butcher but can’t buy knives? Likewise beginning training or apprenticeship as an arborist but can’t buy an axe?
Thank you for this.While I love my old Swiss Army for its tools, and think everyone should have one...for the tools, the blades are a bit rubbish in both how sharp they can be made, and how long they will keep that edge. They are hardened to only 54HRC, whereas an O-1 bushcraft knife would be 58HRC and many good stainless blades can edge up to 59-60HRC. That is why I like the Boker Plus Techtool, 12C27 steel, hard enough to take and hold a decent edge, at a price that if I use or lose, I won't be heart broken.
Also, if the heart fancies a Spyderco Para3...a SAK is never going to satisfy.
EDC means every day carry, and implies that the knife is carried all day, every day, everywhere. In the UK, that means sub-3 non locking (age issues aside). Any locking knife is not legal EDC, even if some people choose to do so. Lock knives = fixed blade in the eyes of the law and the only reason to carry a lock knife away from home is really that a sheath knife is too bulky, heavy or awkward. One could add that a locking folder is also more discreet (which can be good even when you do have legal cover).
I have quite a few locking folders, and they very rarely leave my property these days. I use them around the house and workshop, but when I go walking across country for a day, I take a 3" slip joint. Part of me wishes that I found this inadequate, but the reality is that I don't.
If one handed opening is a big attraction, and I understand that, then the UKPK really is very good. I would say it stands head and shoulders above all other options. However, as Toddy has said, it does look both large, and pokey. I have had far fewer negative comments from people around me with a slimmer two-hand knife.
For a teenager, I would say that a locking knife that is one handed opening introduces some temptations that these days might be better avoided. People who like knives like showing their peers the knives they have, especially if there is any "cool" factor there, like single handed opening. Not all those peers are as level headed as one might like and some will share stories that can re-surface at inconvenient times. Also, if you carry a particular knife a lot when you are home, or out in the country, there is an increased chance you will forget and find you still have it in town. That has happened to me, or nearly happened on more than one occasion.
Looking at nice 3" non-locking that might scratch the itch, in addition to the lower cost TechTool1, and UKPK, and Lion Steel Thrill and Bestman, there is the Three Rivers Viator. Another thing, orange or bright handles can be good, people seem far less worried seeing a bright handled knife than one that looks all black and tactical.
All the best
Chris
I do think though that it is our responsibility to help responsible teens learn about knives as tools as early as possible. I applaud Telemarkmike's efforts here and wish him the best. He is swimming against the tide, even within this community.